In his Saturday afternoon conference address, Elder D. Todd
Christofferson of the Quorum of the Twelve expressed gratitude for the
"influence of good women" before offering a plea to women "to cultivate the
innate moral power" found within them.

"Women bring with them into the world a certain virtue, a divine gift
that makes them adept at instilling such qualities as faith, courage,
empathy and refinement in relationships and in cultures," he
said.

IRI

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

The apostle spoke of the many women — including his mother and his
wife — who have blessed and influenced his life. It was his
grandmother, Adena Warnick Swenson, who taught him to be conscientious in
priesthood service.

"Observing how she sustained my grandfather, a stake patriarch,
engendered in me a reverence for sacred things. Grandma Swenson never
learned how to drive a car, but she knew how to help become priesthood
men."

A woman's moral influence is nowhere more powerful or important than in
the home, he noted. "There is no better setting for rearing the rising
generation than the traditional family where a father and a mother work in
harmony to provide for, teach and nurture their children. Where this ideal
does not exist, people strive to duplicate its benefits as best they can in
their particular circumstances."

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Through a mother's example, a son learns to respect womanhood and
incorporate high moral standards in his life; a daughter cultivates virtue
and learns to stand up for what is right, he observed.

Most sacred, he added, is a woman's role in the creation of life. "As
grandmothers, mothers and role models, women have been the guardians of the
wellspring of life, teaching each generation the importance of sexual
purity — of chastity before marriage and fidelity within
marriage."

Elder Christofferson spoke of the "pernicious philosophy" that
undermines a woman's moral influence by devaluing marriage and motherhood
and homemaking as a career.

"We do not diminish the value of what women or men achieve in any worthy
endeavor or career -- we all benefit from their achievements -- but still
recognize that there is not a higher good than motherhood and fatherhood in
marriage. There is no superior career, and no amount of money, authority or
public acclaim can exceed the ultimate rewards of family."

Attitudes toward human sexuality also threaten the moral authority of
women, he said. Sexual immorality and revealing dress not only debase women
but reinforces the lie that a woman is defined by her sexuality, he
said.

IRI

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

The apostle also addressed those who, in the name of equality, want to
erase all differences between the masculine and the feminine. The distinct,
complementary gifts of men and women that produce a greater whole are being
blurred.

He pleaded with women and girls to protect the moral force within
them.

"Preserve that innate virtue and unique gifts you bring with you into
the world. Your intuition is to do good and to be good, and as you follow
the Holy Spirit, your moral authority and influence will grow. To the young
women I say, don't lose that moral force even before you have it in full
measure."

He counseled young women to used clean language, dress modestly and live
pure lives.